78 * Coleopterological Notices. 



THIIVOBILS Kies. 



This genus, although allied somewhat to Trogophloeus, differs in 

 three very important structural characters, viz : the visible scutel- 

 lum, broadl}^ rounded inner apical angles of the elytra, and antennal 

 structure, the fourth and sixth joints of the latter being invariably 

 smaller than the fifth and seventh. These differential characters are 

 very constant throughout our species, and there are no others which 

 I have observed of sufficient importance to warrant the creation of 

 a new genus. There are, however, certain characters possibly of 

 subgeneric value, which should at least be noted. 



In group I, the pubescence of the elytra is of dual composition. 

 The very densely placed punctures bear, each, a very minute recum- 

 bent and scarcelv visible seta, sometimes quite robust, and Mhich 

 constitutes the principal part of the vestiture, but, in addition, there 

 is a system of longer erect and much more sparsely distributed hairs. 

 In the other two groups here indicated, there is no sign of this 

 complexity, and the pubescence is uniform throughout, consisting 

 of fine erect or suberect hairs, all of equal length. It should also 

 be stated that in groups I and II, the sixth abdominal segment is 

 equal in length to the fifth, while in group III it is very much longer. 



The European species are divided by Rey into sections which are 

 considered of generic value. The species here noted under group I, 

 seem to be entirely congeneric with the true Thinobius of Rey 

 (Hist. Nat. Col. Fr., Oxyt.), but the Thinophilus of that author is 

 almost certainly not represented in our fauna, at least there is no 

 species known to us at present, which possesses the cephalic structure 

 indicated as a prominent character of that genus (I.e. Plate YI), 

 and should our groups be considered of subgeneric value, as they 

 might Avith possible propriety in a general monograph, they must 

 receive new names. 



The species are probably numerous, but owing to their very 

 minute size they have been almost totally neglected by our collec- 

 tors. Those at present known to me may be identified by the fol- 

 lowing characters: — 



Antemije moderate in length, scarcely ever miicli longer than the head and 

 prothorax, with the outer joints robust, the last ovoidal ; integuments 



very minutely and densely punctate, or punctato-rugulose and dull I 



Antennae flavate. 



